One record at a time: 37. Ian Brown - The Greatest

As I mentioned in my previous post for "Golden Greats", I am not sure why I bought the CD of this compilation back in 2005; but I am glad I did. This album is a perfect introduction to Ian's solo work and I have gone on to buy more of his records since. 

When it came to buying the vinyl version of the same album ten years later, I was much more certain in what I was doing as, not only did I know I liked the music, but it was only £11. Considering this is a double album, I think that is a bargain.

Things seem to progress in chronological order so debut single "My Star" starts us off in a blaze of glory. The bass on this record is quite impressive and promises great things are to come when we reach some of the more electronic selections. "Corpses" as it was called when the single was released is next, but it doesn't quite hit the mark for me. "Can't See Me" sees Ian and Mani team up to produce a crazy big beat extravaganza that is remixed and generally tidied up from the album version. This album is cut pretty loud so before we know it, it is time to turn over the first disc. 

The first UNKLE collaboration "Be There" is the sort of downtempo track that was fashionable in the late nineties - but unlike some contemporaries, this one still stands up today. As we move into the "Golden Greats" era we are treated to the single versions of "Love Like A Fountain" and "Dolphins Were Monkeys" which are excellent. The masterpiece that is "Golden Gaze" soon follows to remind us that Ian is capable of some moments of absolute genius.

The second disc kicks off with the exceptional "F.E.A.R." which is clever both lyrically and musically. Whilst "Whispers" and "Forever and a Day" aren't my favourite tracks here they are far from being bad: they're just not to my taste. Similarly "Keep What Ya Got" is just too much like a generic guitar orientated rock song for me. Things pick up with "Time Is My Everything" and its Herb Alpert-esque brass arrangement makes for an entertaining listen. "Longsight M13" raises the bar back to the level of the first disc in quite spectacular fashion. As well as having a great tune, this song features some amazing synth work that restores the faith I lost with some of the rock songs. I can't help but feel like the strings at the beginning of "Reign" have featured on TV advertisements or some sort of promo, but thankfully familiarity doesn't seem to have led to contempt. The brass makes a comeback for the mediocre "Lovebug", but "All Ablaze" is considerably more electronic in approach. The album closes with the slightly awkward "Return of the Fishermen" and its bizarre lyrics. The song is OK, but what puzzles me is that this "Album Version" doesn't appear on any of Ian's albums as far as I can tell. Despite being a bit soggy in the middle, this is a nice collection of tracks that sound surprisingly electronic. 3/5

One record at a time: 36. Ian Brown - Golden Greats

I have no idea why I bought an Ian Brown compilation CD in 2005 as I have never liked The Stone Roses and none of Ian's solo material had ever crossed my path at the time of purchase. 

However, once I did listen to Ian's music I was surprised to find a strong electronic thread running through it. One track, "Golden Gaze" struck me as being particularly good and it became my obsession for a while. I enjoyed the parent album "Golden Greats" too and when Music On Vinyl decided to re-release it in 2016 I was one of the first in the queue.

The album is presented as an LP and a single sided second disc, both pressed on "gold" vinyl (it looks more of a pale brown to me). There were 2000 pressed and each is machine numbered. Like most Music On Vinyl releases the records are pressed by Record Industry in Holland and the quality is pretty good. Whilst not absolute top drawer, it's a million miles away from GZ Media quality.

The first track "Gettin' High" starts inauspiciously with a distorted guitar riff before a funky bass synth and the distinctive Roland CR-78 percussion take over. This fantastic opening soon segues into the single "Love Like A Fountain" which is an amazing marriage of acoustic drum lopps, electric bass and acid synths. Before I heard Ian's solo material I had no idea it had such a groove. "Free My Way" starts with acoustic guitar noodling which thankfully soon abates to allow the strings and drum machine room to breathe. "Set My Baby Free" has a great sub bass floating under Ian's vocal but the organ riff that runs through the song can be annoying and I'd like to hear it further back in the mix. If you can put the organ out of your head this is a great song. "So Many Soldiers" opens with some fake surface noise and crackle which is a weird experience when listening on vinyl. Did anybody find the need to add surface noise to their recordings before CD? Anyway, this is another good track that uses drum loops and Mellotron strings to great effect. Before we know it, side on is finished.

When we flip over we are treated to, for me, what is the main event: "Golden Gaze". This song is the perfect marriage between acoustic drums, guitar arpeggios, heavy synths and percussion loops. Ian's vocal melody weaves through the track like a golden thread turning a great track into an amazing one. I've grown used to the more coherent single version over the years but the album version still satisfies. Another single, "Dolphins Were Monkeys" comes next and whilst the intro is a little discordant, the groove soon gets going going and before you know it you're singing along. Ian shows us he can croon (well a bit) on album filler "Neptune" which sounds like a track Massive Attack would be proud of. The limitations of vinyl are revealed here as some of the high hats induce a small amount of sibilance, but the excellent bass offers sufficient compensation. Another acoustic drum loop introduces "First World" and I'm beginning to yearn for some electronic drum sounds by the time its five minute run time finally comes to an end. Closing track "Babasonicos" is a great title but a dull pastiche of a song. The second record in the package has the "UNKLE" remix of "Dolphins Were Monkeys" which brings out a new melody at the expense of the groove found in the original. The title of the final track "Love Like A Fountain (U.S. Mix)" makes me reminisce about the days when bands released exotic remixes for the American market that made their way onto 12" singles on this side of the pond. To conclude, I'd say this is a good album which is nicely presented and has good audio quality. Definitely one to track down if you can. 3/5